Just wondering where you get the dual layer blank DVDs from, I had a quick look on eBay but they are all really expensive, $19.95 each or 5 for $89.

Try http://www.pcx.com.au

I buy stuff from them all the time, good prices and large selection.

Thanks
Gurty

Ive had problem-free dealings with:

www.jpldisplays.com.au

($7.55 for verbatim dl's ea) + shipping

May do cheaper for bulk lots.

Cheers,
Bitey

if you live near Auburn, there's a shop called MSY that usually stocks them...

http://www.msy.com.au

They're currently selling them for 9 bucks each

Of course, don't be too surprised if they don't play on your DVD player or any DVD player for that matter.

Remember seeing a 200+ player test using DL media and I think it was like only 60 that worked without any problems, a good half were unwatchable. Thats for DVD-Video burns tho, no idea how well they read on normal PC DVD-ROM's.

I seem to remember 'renura' (from the DVB forums) saying that he could get dual-layer discs for < $2 each in SE Asia somewhere (Singapore?). He suggested that if there was a market he might be able to do something business wise...

Hey! Cooooeee! Renura, u around? Anything happen with this one....?

That doesn't sound too good, I just placed a order for 10, $82 inc postage, what good are they if they don't work in a normal DVD player?

No nothing has happened. Somebody suggested that we might bundle some with DNTV Live! once we have implemented direct to DVD recording We don't really want to go in that business, but at the next opportunity I might get some to give away to our customers.

It doesn't make sense since 98% of all commercial DVDs are dual-layered and so the only explanation is the media itself and not the DVD player that has the compatibility issues.

The biggest issue is the burner itself. If the burner changes the booktype of the blank disk to DVD-ROM, as most of the new ones do, then you won't have any issues. What burner do you have?

I have a Sony, in a external case hooked up via USB.
I will have to let you know which model when I get home tonight.
I've only had it about 6 months.

The Sony is a rebadged LiteOn. I believe you have to manually change the booktype with these drives, but at least it is possible. You shouldn't have any problems, but I would stick to Verbatim DL media

I ordered the printable Ritek I think, so would the booktype be in the setting somewhere and if so, I should make sure it set to DVD-ROM.
I think I can manage that.

It depends on which model drive you've got, and what software you use. Later versions of Nero have a bitsetting option. Otherwise you will have to download a LiteOn bitsetting utility.

Have a read here for more info:

If you have a DRU-700:
http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Reviews/Sp...=9741&PageId=19

If you have a DRU710:
http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Reviews/Sp...10957&PageId=21


I use a Pioneer burner which sets booktype automatically, and have had no problems with compatability on stand-alone players

this site has a comprehensive list of what dvd players support what format...

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers

no one's tested DL on my dvd player, so it seems...

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DV...earch&#comments

(my burner doesn't seem to like burning DL discs, so I can't test it myself)

EDIT: seems my sister's Sony DRU-700A can burn DL discs, whilst my Pioneer A08-XL can't...

My old DVD player from Tandy's (its much better than the DSE crap they are producing now) anyway...

DVD DL is +R, not -R

The weird thing is, it plays DVD+RDL perfect, absolutly refuses +R media!

XBOX (no mods) will not play DVD+R DL either, judders about like crazy

Your burner probably automatically bitsets +R DL to DVD-ROM so the player thinks it is a normal pressed DVD, but doesn't bitset single layer +R. My burner works this way.

+R DL is a totally different animal to +R single layer, just as -R DL will be totally different to -R single layer. Just because a player works with the single layer version does not guarantee it will work with the DL version. This is why bitsetting to DVD-ROM guarantees maximum compatability. The player thinks it is a commercial pressed DVD. At this time, only the + format allows bitsetting. If -R DL doesn't allow bitsetting when it is released, it probably won't play on anything!

I buy verbatim duals for $6.69 from my local store - here


they work fine in all my dvd players (and I have quite a few including some xboxes)

The only difference I notice is an extended pause on the layer change and read speeds when ripping data from a dual are usually less than a single layer disc.

I have used quite a few of these and have had no problems in any of my Sony DVD players, includinga DVD-VCR combo, NC615 5 disc player and a all in one CD/DVD/cassette surround system (MHC70) that will not play any burnt CD's but plays all burnt DVD's (all 4 formats +/-), including DL DVD+R's. It was designed before writable DVD's were around.

So, try them, maybe Sony are good at playing burnt DVD's?? but I don't have a problem.

Davo, does your Pioneer A08 have the latest firmware (currently 1.2)? Check with NeroInfo and obtain from Pioneer's Australian site.
I have an A08 that burns to Verbatim DVD+R-DL fine.

i wanted to, but the fact that the latest firmware doesn't let you go back to older firmware via normal methods (in case something does go broken) and they didn't say what was new in the release notes, i wanted to hold off till the next release

i mean, come off it, this is all they wrote in the release notes:



where's the list of fixes and all that?

i have the files, i'm just procastinating installing it (also, i've already burned the files i needed using my sister's burner using the last of my supply...)

Once you do it, you'll kick yourself that you didn't do it earlier...it's that painless

what, going back to a previous version or upgrading to the latest firmware?

Because commercial DVDs are manufactured using an entirely different process to a writable DVD. The two layers in commercial DVDs are physically "pressed" (actually much like vinyl records were) then joined together and encased in plastic. It is a silver reflective layer.

Writable DVDs (and CDs for that matter) use a layer of dye which responds to being heated by a laser, and changes color and thus reflectivity.

So you really can't compare commercial DVDs and burnt DVDs.

I suspect it will take a while before (a) DVD burner technology improves to the point of providing backward-compatible burning of dual-layer discs, and ( DVD players (or software updates for older players) evolve to be able to read these types of discs,

Updating to the latest firmware. It's really easy to do. It is possible to go back to a previous version using a different updater program, but there really won't be any need to. Plenty of people are using the latest version with no problems.

DavidR, as long as your DL disks are bitset to DVD-ROM (same as a pressed DVD) you should have no issues with compatability with older players. Some of the first generation DL burners, especially LiteOn and Sony, gave unreliable DL burns, but the current models should all work fine.

Well, i took the dive. I found it odd that they called their firmware utility "ODD Firmware Update Utility Ver2.23B"

Note: I'm usually pretty well versed when it comes to upgrading firmware. (I used to work for D-Link and upgraded their DSL-200 firmwares) But after the nightmare I went through when I updated the firmware for my ADSL modem, I didn't want to update any firmware again! It took 5 machines to find a compatible USB 1.1 port (3 of them couldn't detect the port, 1 failed the update) and a lot of persistence to finally update the darn thing. With ADSL modems, if you screw up a firmware update, you lose the modem altogether. Not a happy sight, believe you me

i just noticed something horrible with the new firmware... I can't play DVD's anymore!!!

With the older firmware, I was able to make the DVD Drive Region Free, as it was absolutely necessary, since my DVD Drive has the tendency to change the region to Region 2, even though I bought the DVD Drive in Australia, and Windows won't let me change the region, even though I have 4 changes left...

My biggest mistake ever...

check www.rpc1.org for a08 regeion free firmware - if it exists, it'll be there.

You could also run something like anydvd or dvd43 (I think its called) to region-free your system.

Cheers,
Bitey

These guys sell the Verbatim dual layers on ebay for $7.00 each, but you have to buy 10 of them. Then you can collect them from the Sydney or Brisbane store without paying shipping. Otherwise if going to the store is a hassle, then its better to buy them at their online store for $7.50 each where they won't charge shipping unlike ebay that charges $8.50.

I will wait until they drop to $4.00 before going out and buying some.

Sorry about the quote quoting a quote bit but I wanted to address something that both things cover.

IT IS DEFINATELY POSSIBLE FOR A DVD PLAYER TO READ COMMERCIAL DL DISCS BUT NOT HOME MADE ONES.

The reason is the point made by DavidR about the dyes. Many older players particularly cannot properly read the dyes used in dual layer discs usually because their pick up lasers are weak. If one machine can read a disc and another can't it is most likely that the can't machine never will so it's usually not worth trying other brands of media. You would be better off to buy a new player.

thanks for the link, however the site is down and has been down for some time now (i checked a few days ago)

but earlier today, i did some searching and got the anydvd trial, and it seems to work perfectly now!

but i find it odd that the previous program i was using (dvd region killer) stopped working with the new firmware

Only the plus R format is dual layer at the moment and it appears the most DVD players are compatible with minus R but fewer are compatible with plus R.

I know my 3 yr old Panasonic RV32 plays minus R no probs but struggles with plus R. So dual layer is out for me (until I upgrade)